What is the best solution for diabetic neuropathy in the hands and feet?

A:

Quick Answer

Diabetic neuropathy in the hands and feet is treated by managing the symptoms of the condition and controlling blood glucose levels through medication and diet, according to MedicineNet. The condition is not curable, but with the right treatment, it is manageable.

Keep Learning

Proper foot care is essential for those suffering from diabetic neuropathy. Infections and poorly healing ulcers can develop and cause major problems if a person with diabetes sustains a foot injury without knowing it. Proper foot care, including daily inspections to spot problems and wearing comfortable shoes and thick socks, can stave off issues, notes WebMD.

The pain caused by diabetic neuropathy is usually managed using a combination of antiseizure medications and antidepressants that work to alleviate nerve pain. Cymbalta, or duloxetine, which is an antidepressant, is commonly prescribed; other antidepressants of choice for treating diabetic neuropathy include desipramine and nortiptyline. For pain, antiseizure drugs, including Neurontin, Lyrica and Tegretol, are often used, according to MedicineNet. Opioid pain medicine may be prescribed for more severe cases of diabetic neuropathy pain, and pain patches containing lidocaine or topical creams with capsaicin are often recommended.

Medications to counter some of the symptoms that accompany diabetic neuropathy may also be ordered. Erectile dysfunction, a common side effect of diabetic neuropathy, may be treated with Cialis or Viagra, while vaginal dryness in women may require estrogen lubricants and creams. Abnormal sweating caused by the condition is sometimes treated successfully with Botox injections, notes MedicineNet.